Biographical Information

Name:                        Chuck Carnes
Age:                           35
Gender:                      Male
Height:                       6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:                       175 lb (79 kg)

E-mail address:           ctcarnes1(at)yahoo(dot)com

City, State, Country:   Greenville, S.C. United States

Report Date:               July 1, 2005

Backpacking Background

    I love the outdoors – I’ve spent time camping in the outdoors since I was born, and have been actively hiking and backpacking for the past ten years. I consider myself a lightweight hiker, usually carrying 20 – 30 pounds (11-13 kg) for hikes up to a week in length. I hike at an easy pace, averaging 2 mph (3 kph). I am a one-man tent camper for now until a lighter two-man tent comes along and will give me more room. I like to carry a single trekking pole when I hike to help relieve stress to my legs and knees. I like to get out on the trail as often as I can.

Product Information

Manufacturer:             Princeton Tec
Model:                         EOS
Year of Manufacture:   2004
URL:                           http://www.princetontec.com
Listed Weight:            3.7 oz (105 g)
Weight as Delivered:  3.8 oz (108 g)
Bulb type:                   1 L.E.D. (1 Watt Luxeon)
MSRP:                        $38.99

Weight and Dimensions of Light

Width:                        2.4 in (61 mm)
Height:                       1.7 in (43 mm)
Thickness:                  1.6 in (40 mm)
Mfg. weight:               3.7 oz (105 gm)
Actual weight:            3.6 oz (102 gm)

Long Term Report and Field Information

           
            I really have enjoyed testing the Princeton Tec EOS headlamp. It has come in handy during the times when I needed light without have to hold a flashlight. It has become one of my favorite pieces of gear and I can't imagine going hiking or backpacking without it.It has held up to much abuse and continues to work the way it was intended to.          

            The trips I took since my Field Report were one and two nights to a local park I like to visit with my son or a friend. It's close enough to go quite often and it gets me out with nature. The temperatures on these trips ranged from 70 F to 86 F (21 C to 30 C) at night. I experienced afternoon thunder showers and sometimes just a steady rain while using the headlamp. I did a few night hikes but mostly just walking around in the dark with my son so he could find night critters. During the heavy rains we stayed in the tent using the headlamp to play games and read books. I did some night hikes with my friend. Some of time it was with the EOS and the other times it was not.      

            These are some questions that I had about the Princeton Tec EOS headlamp prior to my first use. I am now able to answer these. Answers that are in blue are from my Field Report and temperature and weather conditions are noted there. Answers in red are for my Long Term Report and temperature and weather conditions are noted above.

The web site says that as long as the batteries have sufficient voltage, the light will remain at a constant brightness. Is the decrease in brightness quick and noticeable or is it very slow to give me time to change the batteries before I am sitting in the dark? At this point in the testing period, I have not experienced any dimness due to lack of sufficient voltage. I have now experienced the batteries going dead and I do see a gradual decrease in brightness as the batteries start to die.

How easy is it to change the bulb and batteries?  I have not had to change the batteries or the bulb to this point. I have not had changed the bulb yet but the batteries are very easy to change.

Do I need a tool to access the bulb and battery compartment? The EOS comes equiped with an extended flange on the slide adjustment that adjusts the size of the head band. This flange acts as a flat head screw driver to turn and open the battery compartment so that no extra tool is needed. I have found this to be very convieniant when I needed to change the batteries.

Does it have an extra bulb? No    If not, can I find one at most stores that carry bulbs or are they hard to find? I have not researched this since I have not needed one. This still holds true.

With the simple design and construction of the headlamp, how compact can it get to be placed in a backpack or pocket? It is small enough to fit in ones pocket or small area in ones backpack. I have also placed it in a hip pouch on evening excursions and it really packs small and unnoticeable.

Comfort, to me, is very important when it comes to headlamps. I usually wear a baseball cap while hiking or at camp. Can I wear the baseball cap and the light on the headband together? For me personally I can. The head band fits right under the band of the cap. I have also found this to be comfortable with the hat on.

If a hat can be worn, does the brim of the hat affect the declination of the light beam? The brim of the hat does affect the light from being shown above ones head. As it was for me, this was not that important. When I have wanted to see what I couldn't see with the hat on I have simply removed the hat.

I would also like to see if I am able to use one hand to operate the headlamp, such as turning it on and off and adjusting, while on the headband. The body of the headlamp is easy to adjust while on wearing it with one hand. However, turning it on and off seemed to be a little difficult with gloves on but can still be done single handedly. I have found I can adjust and turn the power on and off effectivly with one hand.

Since the headband has no over-the-head strap, will the headlamp have a tendency to slide down during walks? I have found the headlamp to stay in the position that I place it when I put it on. I have not experienced any slippage or change of declination from the adjustments being loose. Even running a bit with the headlamp on, it seems to stay in the position that I set it.

How comfortable is the headlamp on the forehead for an extended length of time? I must have the sizing just right because I have not experienced any discomfort on my forhead or anywhere else on my head. I did experience a little bit of discomfort that made me adjust the band a bit while wear it for three hours straight. The headlamps power was not on this whole time but it stayed positioned on my head.

Does the headlamp feel front heavy or is it comfortable and light enough to not notice? The headlamp does not feel front heavy at all. It is very light and I do not notice it on my head most of the time. This still holds true.

Waterproof tests will be performed in the field if cases of rain occur. If accidents of dropping the headlamp in a river or lake has not occurred by the end of the review, I will submerge the headlamp in water to test the effects if this happening in the field. Does the light still work? I have not experienced heavy rain or dropping it in a river up to this point. I have now experienced some rain and high humidities and the headlamp was not effected in any way. I did do a quick test with the headlamp being submerged in water at about 2 ft. (61 cm) deep for 10 seconds while the power was on. Still no effects. The power stayed on and the light shone bright.

Does water get into the bulb compartment? See previous answer. No, I did not see any water in the bulb compartment.

Will it short out or become dim? See previous answer. No, the power stayed on and the light shone bright.

If and when the headlamp is to be cleaned, how easy is it to disassemble to perform this task? I have not had to clean the inside at this point but it is very easy to remove the body of the headlamp from the elastic headband to clean behind battery compartment area. I have not really had to clean it except for on the outside and that was with mild soap and water but the battery compartment and rear of the headlamp is very easy to disassemble.

Is there a waterproof seal that is not to be broken? I have not had to open the light bulb compart at this point. I still have not had to open the light bulb compartment but I don't think it's possible without doing damage to the light. I have attempted to do nothing more that trying to pry the battery compartment from the base of the light with my fingers with no success. 

Summary:

            Overall I have been very pleased with the Princeton Tec EOS headlamp. It still stays close by me at all times when I am at home and on the trail. I will continue to use the Princeton Tec EOS as long as neccessary. In my opinion, it is designed very well and functions as said on the web site.

Thank you again Princeton Tec and BGT for giving me the opportunity to test this wonderful light.